North Queensland will use their preliminary final exit last season as pure motivation to return to the field this year all guns blazing.
The Cowboys didn't do a whole lot wrong when finishing third last year, disciplined in both attack and defence while they were consistent in several key areas.
They must keep that type of discipline up in 2023 and tweak a few parts of their game to ensure last season's finish isn't just a one-off.
jetwinvip.com looks at three areas the Cowboys can address in a bid to get back into the finals in 2023.
Alert from the start
The Cowboys conceded the third least tries in 2022 with 73 for the year but 16 came in the opening 10 minutes of games during the regular season and final series, more than other teams who finished in the top six on the ladder.
It was their only 10-minute period they lost throughout the course of the season with a -4 differential overall.
The Sharks conceded just 10 and premiers Penrith 11 while Melbourne (13) and Parramatta (15) and South Sydney (15) also let in less.
The side's second half efforts ranked among the best in the league but their first 40 minutes should be a focus for Todd Payten.
When they scored first points in 53.8% of games they went on to win 12 out of 14 matches.
If they can raise the percentage of games they score first points it will hold them in better stead throughout the season.
Match Highlights: Cowboys v Dolphins
Defending opposition kicks
The Cowboys conceded eight tries during the Pre-season Challenge with six coming from the boot in an area Todd Payten will want to tidy up ahead of Round 1.
In contrast, the Cowboys only conceded 10 tries from kicks last year as they finished in the top three for defence.
Both Payten and Valentine Holmes raised the issue after their two-point loss to the Broncos last week.
Home crowd jitters
The Cowboys were almost flawless playing in front of their home crowds last year until their preliminary final exit, which will haunt them for years to come.
They did struggle to hold the ball in Townsville more than on their away trips, a trend that is also the case with other clubs.
Whether it's the overexcitement of playing on home turf or another factor, Payten's side made 145 errors in total at home during the regular season, where they won nine of 12 games, with only Cronulla (158) and South Sydney (149) ahead of them.
They were more disciplined when they got on a plane and headed for opposition territory, making just 114 (third best) overall, where they won eight of 12 games.
The Roosters produced more errors while playing away than any other team, making 149 during the regular season.
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